Building an analytics cloud on OpenShift

Dirk-Peter van Leeuwen

Communication and collaboration between development and operations can be difficult to achieve in many organizations, especially in larger environments. These two areas have traditionally operated within 'silos' separate from each other - something that can lead to delays and miscommunication.

These issues can be rectified, however, thanks to capable new tools and technologies such as OpenStack and OpenShift.

In fact, predictive analytics and decision management software company FICO recently deployed OpenShift Enterprise, Red Hat’s private Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) offering.

Focusing on analytics

Analytics is a vital field for many companies, given the benefits that can be seen when data is effectively utilized (market and customer trend understanding). In many cases, companies move into the field for basic trend analysis through to more complicated predictive analytics.

FICO_Logo_RGB_225x158
FICO_Logo_RGB_225x158

FICO offers analytic software and tools that help organizations make smarter decisions.

 

FICO has been a leader in this space for more than 50 years, and offers solutions to help companies solve different analytics issues. When it came time to deploy the FICO Analytic Cloud, FICO required a more capable and adaptable PaaS solution, and turned to OpenShift Enterprise.

OpenShift, OpenStack and FICO

FICO needed a reliable platform on which to deploy the FICO Analytic Cloud, one that could be built and scaled as needed to meet demand. OpenShift Enterprise, the award-winning private PaaS solution, was identified as the best option for FICO.

OpenShift Enterprise is an on-premise, private PaaS that enables applications to be delivered quickly. OpenShift Enterprise also enables users to improve both developer productivity and operational efficiency. The CIO of FICO, Tony McGivern, explained that they found OpenShift to be the best platform capable to deliver the results required, helping FICO to reduce application development time by 70 per cent.

“The relationship we have with those who support OpenShift is more than I could have ever asked for,” said McGivern. “I can make one phone call and have a SWAT team assembled within an hour. And when you’re living in a new, innovative, highly advanced model like we are today, that’s a great source of security.”

"Platform-as-a-Service is such a powerful technology, and FICO is an amazing example of a customer that has used OpenShift to not only transform their internal development organization, but also to bring their product to market," said Ashesh Badani, vice president and general manager, OpenShift, Red Hat.

"FICO has reduced time to value for developing analytic solutions by up to 70% versus on-premise software." 

— Tony McGivern, CIO, FICO

The need for PaaS

PaaS is a powerful technology capable of meeting the fault tolerance and availability needs of modern companies. In addition, a correctly implemented solution can accomplish auto-scaling - something that's key for developers.

Of course, companies need to have confidence in their ability to provide the necessary virtual machine resources to PaaS solutions. OpenShift offers tools for rapid platform scaling, providing an 'elastic infrastructure'.

DevOps-enabling tools will continue to prove essential for organizations across the globe, streamlining the way in which developers and and operators work together. Combined with capable PaaS solutions, organizations can find it easier to achieve DevOps goals.

 

  • Learn more about FICO’s OpenShift Enterprise story.

  • Watch FICO's success story.

  • Read more about DevOps and how Red Hat can help you develop your own DevOps strategy.